of coffee and alzheimers...

The Brits may be known for their enthusiasm for drinking afternoon tea but for millions of office workers in modern Britain apparently, the dominant ritual has become one of morning coffee. They persuade one of their number to go down to a cafe and return with a cardboard carrier stuffed with polystyrene cups containing multiple coffees, carefully noting demands for Lattes, Cappuccinos and Skinny Americanos. We don't 'tapao' coffee as much here at home in Malaysia. A couple of days ago when I was in London, coffee drinking was boosted by an experiment on mice in Florida which suggested drinking five cups of coffee a day could reverse Alzheimer's. But the news has come too late to save Coffee Republic. The firm, with 187 outlets, has gone into administration. Some of its loss making branches face closure and the accountants (known for coming onto the field after the battle has ended to count the dead and bayonet the injured) have come in to run it.

It should be good news for aunt Gloria Simmonds who is 74. I made the right decision taking time off to visit her at Faversham. Her alzheimer is advancing although she appears perfectly normal. I was worried she would not recognise me over the phone. The neighbours, Vicki and Simon at the lovely quiant little Hamlet just outside Faversham, were so nice to let me into their home and made me coffee while I waited for Gloria and Sherry to be back from Canterbury...